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Here continues the Record of the Reign of Gareth and Juliana King and Queen of Sylvan Æthelmearc at the Kings Crossing Birthday B(r)all, October 28, AS 52, in Their Shire of Kings Crossing; as recorded by Lord Arias Beltran del Valle, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald to Their Majesties.

His Majesty Gareth, being unaccompanied by Her Majesty Juliana at this event, first asked those attending their first event to come forward and receive a drinking vessel, so that they would be better prepared for the many future events He hopes they attend.

His Majesty then called for the presence of Jodocus Van de Kloof. He spoke of Jodocus’ willing heart, serving his Shire of Kings Crossing as chatelaine and deputy seneschal, training to be a thrown weapons marshal, and helping to autocrat the day’s events. For this work was he Awarded Arms. Scroll by THL Zosia Kowaleska.

Jodocus Van de Kloof receives his AoA. Photo by Lady Katryn Whyte.

Katie (Katryn) Whyte was next summoned before His Majesty. She, too, was deeply involved in the day’s event, serving as feastocrat. She also helps to spread word of the Shire’s activities, both internally reviving the Shire newsletter, and externally helping to organize demos. She, too, was then Awarded Arms for this work. Scroll by Lady Gillian McGill de Verona.

Katie Whyte receives her AoA. Photo by Lord Jodocus Van de Kloof.

His Majesty then summoned Lord Alfonso de Santo Domingo before him. Word of Lord Alfonso’s success on the archery range had reached His Majesty’s ears, as had stories of his willingness to hold practices and provide equipment when most needed. For this was He minded to create him a member of the Order of the Golden Alce. Scroll by Baroness Graidhne ni Ruaidh.

His Majesty next demanded the presence of Her Ladyship Katerina Das Vogelen. Long has this gentle worked to promote the Arts and Sciences studied by the Society in her Shire, helping others find garb when needed and information on other crafts when she could not provide it, wearing a smile the entire time. For this did His Majesty name her to the Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Master Aelric Ravenshaw.

THLady Katerina receives a Keystone. Photo by Lady Katryn Whyte.

Lord Thrain inn Riki was then summoned to attend His Majesty. Lord Thrain serves as the Shire’s Knight Marshal, and has worked to insure that others might join him on the field well-equipped and well-trained to defend the Kingdom for His Majesty. So did He create Lord Thrain a member of the Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Gulsah Aydini and Lady Shirin of Susa.

Lord Thrain receives a Keystone. Photo by Lady Katryn Whyte.

His Majesty then called Lord Sven Tyrvisson to appear before him. His Majesty noted the decade passed that Lord Sven had at various times labored to run a local practice for the heavy fighters, hauling extra gear to and fro so all could practice, as well as serving as Shire Seneschal, and helping with demos and events. For this long history of service was he added to the number of the Order of the Millrind. Scroll by THL Sumayya al Ghaziyya.

Lord Sven receives a Millrind. Photo by Lady Katryn Whyte.

His Lordship Donnchadh Dubhghlas was summoned before His Majesty, who recalled the great number of years that his Lordship had served both Kingdom and Shire in a manner most worthy of recognition. So did His Majesty make that recognition known by calling forth His Most Noble Order of the Pelican, sending his Lordship with them to set a day and hour to sit vigil and contemplate his elevation to join that august Order. Scroll by Count Jehan de la Marche and Baroness Graidhne ni Ruaidh. Note: THL Donnchadh’s vigil and elevation will occur at Region 1 Twelfth Night in Misty Highlands on January 27.

THLord Donnchadh receives a Writ for the Pelican. Photo by Lady Katryn Whyte.

His Majesty then asked those present who contributed to the scrolls and tokens handed out that morning to stand and be recognized by the populace.

Their being no further business, the Court of His Majesty was then closed.

After this, I expect the frequency and volume of these updates to lessen, as we go from the excitement of getting started and transition in to the drudgery of just digging through everyone. But that means we’re to that point!

Tonight we moved our third branch and we now have scheduled 7 more branches to move and an entire Kingdom Department. We haven’t yet tried to move 2 branches in a single evening, but tonight proved it is possible. We’re also now making this available:

That’s the schedule of all the migrations as they fill in. Once we receive the spreadsheet of user information from a branch, we create their accounts, send those folks their welcome letters, and then we can schedule their migration. That’s when it goes on the calendar. If your group isn’t on the calendar, we haven’t yet received the information we need to put you there. Seneschals? Get us info. You can see the queue now, the power to get on that line is in your hands.

We’re also releasing the Frequently Asked Questions list, so you can see that (most likely) the questions you have are questions many people have… and see the answers, too!

Lastly for this time out, we’re getting questions about when all the rest of the features of GSuite will be available, and what features we’re getting. Well, we’re getting a pretty full selection of the standard features (Mail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Sheets, Forms, etc.) but not Sites. The “When”, on the other hand, is not yet. The “price of admission” to use any of these features is having a login account and email address. That’s how Google’s stuff works. That’s why we’re pushing to get everyone migrated over to GMail first. Once we have that process completely ironed out, including how we handle mailing lists (solved, but not ready for public consumption yet!) and officer transitions (we think we know how this one will work), then our crack Development Team (David Cortijo) will be able to start working on Team Drive so we can figure out how to do what is needed to safely, securely, and possibly most importantly easy to transition to a successor in the future, share files that need to be shared around a Branch, Kingdom Department, or the Kingdom as a whole. But that largely means that this stuff, while wildly useful and needed, is going to take a backseat to the email migration that we really have to complete _first_.

In Service,
Joel Messerer
East Kingdom Deputy Webminister for Services

It’s Christmas time again, so here are some tips for the Archer you love.

No matter how good a shot they are, new arrows are always a wonderful gift, along with a period-looking quiver, arm guard, or shooting glove. I prefer a Bear Paw glove because it breathes, so your hand doesn’t sweat.

Next, check out this pen that I found at the dollar store. It’s a stylus, a pen, a laser light, and a flashlight.

If you’ve had a long hot day on the range, how about this period-looking water cooler.

For many years now, the Barony Beyond the Mountain has celebrated
certain traditions as part of our Yule feast. In more recent times we
have been pleased and honored to bring them to a joint Yule with our
cousins of Bergental. If you are planning to attend Yule feast this year on December 2 or in the future, a quick read will help you to enjoy your time with us.

The first thing is that we ask everyone to please refrain from lighting their own candles. The provision of light for the tables is part of the
observances.

At the beginning of the feast before the food is served, First Foot, a
child embodying the spirit of the season enters the hall and leaps over
the yule log which will be set before High Table. After taking a flame
from the yule log, First Foot asks the populace “Would you have the
spirit of the season enter this hall?” The proper response is “Aye.”
First Foot lights the candles at High Table, and then proceeds
throughout the hall, lighting a candle for each table. It is traditional
to offer First Foot a coin for luck, which are provided on each table.

A pitcher of scented water is presented to High Table, that Their
Majesties, Their Highnesses, and Their Exellencies may refresh their
hands prior to presentation of the feast.

Salt is formally presented to the High Table. If Their Excellencies in
consultation with Their exchequers have determined that Their lands have
prospered in the prior year, salt is also provided to the populace to
season their meals.

The pantler presents a specially baked loaf of bread to High Table, and
slices and serves it to Their Majesties, Their Highnesses and Their
Excellencies.

The butler presents drink to the High Table. To ensure the quality of
the bottle, s/he will open it and sample the contents to confirm its worth.

The toasts are offered during the meal as is traditional in the Kingdom.
However, in honor of the holiday season, the customary response of
“vivant” is replaced by “wassail!”

During the feast, the boar’s head is processed through the hall while
the “Boar’s Head Carol” is sung.

Should the nobles and populace of the hall be deemed to be generous,
hospitable, and welcoming, there is a gift, in the form of twelve
sterling silver rings. Should you find one, it represents luck for the
coming year.

A Little History or Where on Earth Did They GET This Stuff?

The Barony Beyond the Mountain has celebrated our Yule feast with some
variation of these traditions and ceremonies for over thirty years. But
what do they mean? Where do they come from? All of them are grounded (if
loosely) in some part of history, although over the years things have
changed and shifted to suit the people and the event, and while the
history is still visible through the cracks, it is now a tradition of
our own.

First Foot: First Foot is a tradition of Scotland/Northern England,
which says that the first person to set foot over the threshold of a
home on New Year’s Day will bring good fortune for the coming year. In
the original tradition, First Foot brings gifts.

Yule Log: Current tradition holds that the Yule log has its origins in
the fire ceremonies of pre-Christian paganism that celebrate the return
of the sun at the turn of the year. As most sites do not have a hearth
suitable for the day-long burning of a log, the barony utilizes a
symbolic representation.

Hand-washing: Medieval books of manners describe ritual hand-washing
both before and after the meal. The water and towels were presented in
order of the social standing of the guest, and it was an honor to thus
serve a king or great noble.

Salt: Salt has been a valuable commodity throughout history. Universally
valuable for both seasoning and food preservation, salt was mined,
produced, transported, taxed, sold, and sometimes used as currency.
Hence it was a demonstration of wealth on the medieval table, and in the
great houses would be served in ornate salt cellars and nefs that were
placed in front of the host or most honored guest.

Pantler: The pantler (from the Middle English pantelere) was the servant
of a great house who was in charge of the bread and the pantry. When
bread is baked in a wood fired oven, the upper portion is more
desirable, as it will not be ashy or over-baked. Interestingly, the
phrase “upper crust” does not appear to have been applied to *people*
until the nineteenth century.

Butler: the butler (from the Anglo-Norman buteler, a variant of the Old
Norman butelier and Old French botellier – all variants on
boteille/bottle) was the servant of a great house who was in charge of
the service and care of the household’s beverages, whether in barrels or
bottles.

Wassail: from the Old English wæs hæl – “be you healthy,” and associated
with the drinking tradition of wassailing in Southern England which is
done to ensure a good cider apple harvest for the following year.

Boar’s Head: the hunting and serving of boar is ancient. The procession
of the boar’s head to the singing of the “Boar’s Head Carol” originated
at Queen’s College in Oxford England. It has continued to this day.

Rings: In England the Christmas cake/pudding sometimes had coins added
as good luck touch pieces at least as far back as the 19th century. Even
if no older than that, it is a charming tradition.

Responses to the second poll of Their Majesties Ivan and Matilde need to be sent before midnight TONIGHT – Sunday, November 26. The polls close at 11:59 pm, and the polling link will be inactive after that time.

Polls are sent to the members of the Orders of High Merit and the Peerages so that they may provide input to the Crown on future members. Orders which conduct polls include the Chivalry, Laurel, Pelican, Defense, Silver Crescent, Tygers Combatant, Sagittarius, Maunche, Golden Rapier, and Golden Lance.

If you are a member of one of the Orders of High Merit or the Peerage and are not currently receiving polling emails, please sign up via the instructions on the East Kingdom Polling Lists page. Please note that the discussion lists and the polling lists must be subscribed separately.

At the Crown Tournament to determine the heirs of Tsar Ivan and Tsaritsa Matilde, fighters of the East Kingdom vied for the right to be heir to the Tyger throne. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, many hands were hard at work to make a the day a success for all.

Mistress Suba heralding to the crowd assembled

Crown Tournament is fairly unique in its great need for heralds and list runners in order for the Mistress of the Lists to do her job and run the tournament. Mistress Suba al Hadid is the Troubador Herald, in charge of vocal heraldry for tournaments such as Crown Tournament. She and her deputies are the reason that those on the sidelines know who is fighting who, and those who are fighting know which list they should report to. They are assisted by list runners who are responsible for getting cards with fighters’ names on them from the Mistress of the List and her staff, and bringing them to the heralds to announce.

Mistress Suba pointed out that at least eight of her staff were under the age of eighteen, and worked hard to make sure that cards were delivered, fighters heralded, and they day treated with the pomp and circumstance it deserved.

On the other side of the event, Boyar Aleksei Dmitriev and Lord Fergus Redmead worked tirelessly to cook a delicious dayboard, and chose to tackle a huge challenge to better support the focus of the day. “We said at the same time, we wanted to something special for the fighters and consorts to make it easier for them and bring lunch to them,” Aleksei explained, having cooked dayboard for two Crown Tournaments prior to this one. “I always wanted to do this, but I needed a co-cook just as excited as me about it.”

A “boxed lunch” provided for fighters and consorts

Aleksei, Fergus, and their team prepared approximately 100 boxed lunches for fighters and their consorts, so that those who were focused on the tournament would not need to leave the field in order to eat lunch.

Fergus’s idea was to label each box with the heraldry and name of the combatant or consort. This added the ability to deal with with special dietary needs. Aleksei put out the call to those competing that they could send in their needs, and the dayboard team would do their best to accommodate. Aleksei explained that approximately 20 people took advantage of this to let him know about gluten-free, vegetarian, and other needs in advance.

When Lady Aikaterine reached out with the offer for youth fighters who were attending to help out by delivering the boxes, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. Several youth delivered dozens of boxes, and also helped put together the lunches, assembly line style.

Photo provided by Sir Alexander de Hautville

The teens ran joyfully through the crowd, matching the shields on the boxes to the shield trees in an attempt to find the gentles whose lunches they held. Discussions about matching heraldry to clothing and banners were held, and the youth seemed to benefit as much from the heraldic education as the combatants and consorts did from the food. “No, that’s a griffin, we’re looking for a tyger!,” was overheard as the youth worked to deliver dozens of meals.

“The kids were a crucial element,” said Aleksei, “We couldn’t have done this without them.” Fergus echoed the sentiment, complimenting four youths in particular who toiled throughout the day

Ulf and Ragnard hard at work at the smokers. -Photo by Fiona

Ulf and Ragnar ran the smokers, and helped to smoke 120 lbs of chicken and 20 lbs of trout, while Emma Lovell and Caleb Patrasso worked inside to prepare the meal. The kitchen was filled with youth and newcomers to the society, joyfully preparing food for the attendees of the event.

As I sit here on the plane and reflect on my 6th year of campaigning in Europe at medieval tournaments, I ponder where to next and how shall I commit. I am over traveling alone. I have not the drive to do it myself any more. Having someone with you to just talk with, assist you when confused on how things should work in an unknown place or even to decide on where to eat is an immeasurable bonus and happiness. Then there is the question of what happens should you get hurt, who can assist you with the heavy stuff and getting to the airport or perhaps even home from the hospital? These are the things to consider, which you might not even think of, until it is too late.

Trying to travel with armor sucks. How do you pack? Where does it all go? This makes things very difficult. What if you have a pole ax or halberd? What is the length of the poles? Can you buy a pole to put it on at the site? Or do you get (my current usage) a snowboard bag and attach then axe head on site? Then can you get it off, should you need to, for getting it home? Is it now long enough to compete properly, 6.5 foot or 7 foot? Of course, there is always the questions that occur from the airlines when you check it in! What is this? Sports equipment… then there is some waving of hands and attempts to explain it to them. Of course, there is always questions, but usually they let you go. I also pack in about 1/3 of my armor in the snowboard bag as well. Of course, that is now two bags, so there is a cost to take it over, then one to bring it back. So now you are looking at about a $200 extra cost for flying and returning.

Then there are the emotions. What is the greatest about fighting is also the worse. The highs are followed by lows to the same degree. Expectations, anticipations and preparations, which having lead one to the tournament, build you up to a climax that is an amazing experience. This is something that is slightly different for every person and every tournament. It is part of the sport and I am yet unsure how to suggest one cope with it. Ride the emotional wave and enjoy life.

Then there is the fighting. Every tournament except Battle of the Nations (BotN) seems to be pretty lax on armor and weapons requirements. (I’m not sure about Dynamo Cup) And weapons for that matter, although they still check those out pretty well. The actually marshaling to address safety concerns seems to be at a fairly high level all around. There always seems to be some kind of issue that gets raised or set of issues at and I suppose there always will be until the sport matures to a professional degree. Something like where you check in/out your arms and/or armor or some such. But the logistics of that is pretty significant. They were up to the old ways of running things some. late rule changes, odd enforcements both in the list and out of the list for registration. There are definitely some improvements to be made, but overall it is getting better a little by a little. My #1 suggestion to improve this is for them to schedule things more sooner and to let teams supply volunteers to join in in making some of the stuff happen.

I would say one the biggest disappointment I have seen from BotN is the lake of catering to the fans or new fans of the sport. They price the event out of the range of average folks that want to enjoy the show. They could have probably filled 10k+ fans into the arena in Barcelona, however, by charging 30 euro per session or half day, per person, that made it 60 euros for someone to watch just one day of action. Yup, not many families or other coming out. What is the right price, maybe 20 euro for the day. In Belmonte, the price being 30 euros kept the crowd pretty low, compared to the IMCF championship where the price was like 10-20 euro for the day, which had a huge crowd. Until this sport is completely filling arenas, we should be keeping those ticket prices good for all.

Barcelona was a wonderful city to visit, which I wish I had more time to explore. Maybe one day I’ll return just to enjoy the city. Walking through the gothic quarter it was easy to image what walking through Diagon Alley in Harry Potter might have felt like or perhaps walking through Waterdeep. I’ll be back, but not sure how much I want to go to Battle of Nations again verse attending other potential tournaments, as there could be a lot of fun at smaller ones as well. It all depends upon where my travel companions wish to go and have fun at. Look for me in the list though as I will be there again. I’m also leaning toward doing more singles fights too. Hell, I’ll fight in as much as I can.